How can you start consulting in Creator Economy?

I hate the advice to "find you niche". I think if you are consulting on things you truly believe you have an expert view on these things will come naturally and often look very different from one another. If you are consulting in the creator economy start with spaces you believe in and think you know enough about, but don't restrict yourself to just one "niche".

It's extremely important to nail your niche from the start by clearly identifying the specific aspect of the Creator Economy you want to focus on and why. Your niche should align with your expertise and skill set, as well as the needs of a specific, sufficiently large client base to support business growth. For example, if you are an expert in monetization, you might focus on helping professional creators with established audiences diversify their revenue streams and expand their online businesses beyond social media platforms. Alternatively, if you have a network of early-stage founders and/or venture capitalists, you could specialize in helping startups develop and cost-effectively execute their creator marketing strategies.

Having worked at leading companies in the creator economy such as YouTube and Jellysmack, I've come to recognize the importance of defining a "niche." As an independent consultant, I believe that amidst the vast array of topics within the creator economy, it's crucial to focus on a few areas that resonate with your passion, experience, and expertise, supported by tangible data. Your niche can have various dimensions – whether it's specific to a category, region, tool, strategy, or growth aspect. Diving deep into a niche that aligns with your natural inclinations makes consulting more effective and fulfilling. Attempting to advise on topics outside your comfort zone can pose challenges and diminish the quality of your consultancy.

Identifying emerging trends is crucial for consulting success in the creator economy. Stay informed about platform updates, algorithm changes, and shifting audience preferences. Position yourself as an expert in cutting-edge technologies or new content formats. Offer insights on navigating evolving monetization strategies, helping creators stay ahead. Additionally, cultivate a strong online presence through thought leadership. Regularly share industry analyses, case studies, or success stories on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to build credibility and attract potential clients. Embrace a holistic approach, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of the creator's brand and audience for comprehensive consulting services.

Start from experience. What do you have to offer? Which areas that you an expert on? Because talking about something you are good at, will make it easier. From time to time, you can start to consult a wider range of niches but start with the niche that you are comfortable with.

Leverage LinkedIn!! One of the easiest portfolio builders you can have, and everyone is on the platform. Don’t overlook written thought leadership through LinkedIn posts to support your portfolio of creative work (if that is what you plan to consult on).

For those newer in their careers looking to build a portfolio, feel free to create case studies using brands you would like to work with or are inspired by as samples of work you can do to demonstrate your skills to potential clients. You can also use projects you have created for interview processes (with permission, of course!) to further demonstrate what you can do.

To fight overwhelm, remember it's better to start small rather than trying to assemble the perfect portfolio. Create a 'PORTFOLIO' folder and begin to drop in screenshots of positive reviews, comments, and feedback for your testimonials. In your photo album, create a 'FINAL CUTS' folder for the edited videos you're proud of and want to show off. Until you're ready to curate a portfolio website or Canva portfolio, you can start by adding your projects to a Dropbox folder or Vimeo/YouTube page for a quick shareable link. Don't overthink it- just put your favorite pieces in one place so you can build on this portfolio over time.

Crafting your portfolio should not be an overwhelming task - allow yourself to showcase your capabilities effectively. While including case studies and client testimonials from your past projects is essential, don't feel dejected if you're just starting out. In addition to showcasing your previous work, consider including projects that inspire you and demonstrate your potential. Having such materials readily available can provide valuable insights into your skills and aspirations. Remember, your portfolio is a reflection of your journey and potential, so curate it thoughtfully to make a lasting impression. Reach out to your past connections and clients and have them speak about your work too!

Word of mouth and content are the two strongest levers to attract customers as a consultant in the creator economy. The industry thrives on connections and reputation, so focus on high-impact projects. Choose clients wisely and exceed their expectations so they recommend you. Writing online is also very powerful for reaching a broad audience. Use platforms like Twitter/X, Threads, LinkedIn, or Medium. Create "hook" threads on Twitter/X or Threads to direct traffic to longer posts on Medium, Substack, or your blog. Pick topics strategically—cover trends and research the most searched keywords. You can grow a successful consulting business in the creator economy by delivering high-quality content and building strong client relationships.

LinkedIn can be a great way to market yourself and your services. Posting content on LinkedIn will help you stay top of mind to others in your industry. You can use LinkedIn to share your past projects, wins or relevant work experience.

Center your marketing efforts around storytelling. By communicating who you are, what you stand for, and why you're good at what you do, you'll have an easier time selling your services. Share examples of your work and client success stories. Use your content as a way to showcase your expertise in a way that is easy to understand and centers your ideal customer, their pain points, etc.

People aren't going to know you exist if you don't market yourself. Posting content alone does not work. There are literally thousands of posts per second so you must find a way to market yourself, the way you want to be viewed. Networking is going to be a powerhouse for you in this area. Get to know people. Don't come out of the gates with pitches. Get to know people for the sake of getting to know people and over time, a ripple effect happens. Networking can be done the old-school way but don't forget, that those conversations you are having online is networking too.

If you're exceptionally talented but keep your skills hidden away, chances are no one will discover them. Same goes for your consulting. - Utilize all available social media platforms, with a strong emphasis on LinkedIn, to showcase your work and expertise. - Engage with your industry peers, join relevant groups, and share valuable content that resonates with your target audience. - Make sure your content addresses their pain points and positions you as an expert in your niche. By effectively leveraging social media, you can increase your visibility and attract potential clients.

In today's digital age, presenting yourself effectively online is crucial. Your bio on platforms like Twitter/X, Threads, or LinkedIn matters significantly, as does your profile picture. Think of yourself as a product or service and craft an elevator pitch that conveys your value. A great example is Paddy Galloway. His bio succinctly states his value proposition: "I grow YouTube channels. 10 billion+ views generated. 10+ years of experience. Worked with @Jesser @MrBeast @RedBull & many more. Building a YouTube accelerator." His profile picture, showing him holding a YouTube Creator Award, instantly establishes credibility. These simple elements together can create a powerful first impression and build trust with your audience.

Shift from hourly billing to value-based pricing. It's crucial to charge based on the significant value you deliver to clients, rather than the time it takes to provide it. This shift aligns your incentives with the client's success, motivating you to offer the most effective solutions rather than focusing on accumulating billable hours. Clients often feel uneasy with hourly rates, fearing overcharges or hesitating to fully engage due to escalating costs. Hourly billing risks reducing your unique expertise to a mere commodity, judged solely on time rather than the substantial value you provide. I recommend Alan Weiss’s 'Million Dollar Consulting.' It’s a game-changer in rethinking how consultants should value and price their services.

I set my rate based on the client’s scope of work, the time / effort / expertise and the value I will bring. This is where you must decide to either hold firm on a rate or adjust to facilitate more volume of work. Personally I only touch things I know I can add value in and are worth my time away from family and friends. Don’t be hurt when a potential lead rejects your proposal or tries to counter your rate. Either amend the scope / rate or simply pass and wish them the best.

A simple way of looking at pricing is to consider the amount of time it’ll take to complete the project. How many clients you can take on for the duration of the project (from month to month) and the value added to the client after completion of the service. If you are working with others on the project you will have to consider their rates as well and factor that into what you charge. Remember, just because you’re hearing no’s doesn’t automatically mean you need to lower your prices. Making that a habit can hurt you in the long run.

I think some of the most underutilized concepts and words to use when setting rates are 'My Value' and 'My Worth.' So many fall into the trap of comparables and focusing on the time or even the work you do. You are worth so much more than just the hours you put in or the work you provide. The main value advisors and consultants provide is their wealth of knowledge and experience that has sometimes taken multiple decades to achieve. DO NOT UNDERSELL YOURSELF! So: Align your incentives: Shift from hourly billing to value-based pricing. Period. Thus this aligns your incentives with the client's success, motivating you to offer the most effective solutions rather than focusing on accumulating billable hours!!

After giving "free consulting" to a few new startups, I've come to appreciate the significance of discussing consulting fees upfront when engaging with potential clients. It's crucial to establish a rate that aligns with the scope of the project, considering factors such as the complexity of the work, the time and expertise required, and the value you bring to the table. It's worth noting that some startups may engage your services for consultations and then disappear without a trace. Therefore, it's essential to be cautious about investing too much time and effort before a contract is finalized. Personally, I prioritize projects that excite me and where I can add value.

Your work speaks volumes and is the truest representation of your capabilities. Focus on projects that genuinely excite you, and strive to deliver them with excellence. Utilize top-notch tools and industry reports and best practices to ensure professionalism and efficiency in your work. Seek feedback continuously to foster improvement, and maintain open communication with clients even after project completion. Avoid taking on projects solely for financial gain if they don't align with your expertise. Remember, in a closely-knit industry, word of subpar work can spread quickly and tarnish your personal brand.

Quality work is the cornerstone of successful consulting. Clearly define project scope, timelines, and deliverables. Utilize efficient tools and practices, communicate effectively with clients, and continuously seek feedback for improvement. Post-project follow-ups can lead to repeat business and referrals.

Delivering quality work is crucial. Establish a clear scope, timeline, and deliverables for each project, and maintain effective communication with your clients. Use top tools and best practices to ensure professional, efficient results. Seek feedback and continuously improve. Follow up with clients after project completion to ensure satisfaction and build long-term relationships. Exceeding client expectations will strengthen your reputation and lead to more opportunities.

The most often overlooked yet natural human approach in growing consulting is to create, foster, and nurture relationships with your peers by focusing on providing VALUE. This means making introductions for others and genuinely helping people --- Yes, some may be takers and vultures, but you'll quickly discern who they are and can choose to stay away in the future. Most people in this vertical are kind-hearted, and if you consistently help others, they are likely to reciprocate. Nurturing your existing clients is crucial, but so is continually helping those around you to attract more business. When you enter a call, don't aim to sell; aim to help. Create a lasting impression, and genuinely help people it works AND feels good to your heart

Success can be simple, sustaining it is outcome to focus on. As a consultant in the creator economy, think of diverse and intriguing ways to grow and engage your audience. This can be done by collaboration, collecting market research on what your audience or clients want to see or hear from you. It means engaging not just your content but the content of other creators you admire. LinkedIn is an excellent way to build your base. Unlike other platforms, only 1% of users create content. That means you can leverage it towards thought leadership. Can you diversify your offers to reach different aspects of your audience? This is why I'm all for having an offer suite with different tiers.

As a consultant in the creator economy, Self-Leadership is important. Just know as a consultant, you are advising and leading based on your expertise. You are a leader in a different way. Self-Leadership is the ability to inform, influence and control your professional and personal success. Make sure you are leading yourself in the right direction before you lead others. I personally have led others for over a decade in non-traditional ways through facilitating, advising and corporate consulting. Learn more about Self-Leadership by following me for more insights!

The Creator Economy is booming, and so are the special areas(Niches) within it like gaming, cooking, or music etc. It's like each area is becoming its own little world. If you're really good at something, i.e gaming videos content, you could start helping other gaming creators get better engagement just like Kairos Media did. They turned their gaming know-how into a big business by helping creators make most of all platforms and earn extra income. So pick a niche, get stuff rollin' :)

In my experience, having worked closely with Creators across four different continents is that while everyone is busy identifying their niche or their content calling - Creators often fail to stay close to their community. It's one thing to make content, its quite another to engage with the repeat/loyal audiences and add that additional layer of familiarity. In the clutter of creators, this is one way to differentiate your offering. Increasingly, brands are pivoting more towards quality of conversations rather than quantity of followers

Be very specific and unfiltered with companies. Your honesty might ruffle some feathers, but often, it can open up opportunities for consulting, advising, or even gaining ownership in some amazing companies. The majority of the advisory and consulting roles I've obtained weren't something I chased; they came naturally by being a giving contributor to the company, app, and/or community. Remember, every interaction is a chance to leave a lasting impression. You might think you're leaving a note to support, but it could be shared on Slack with the C-Suite. I couldn't recommend ripping off the band-aid more. People are often afraid of just speaking the truth, and honestly, that's the one thing that most C-Suite executives never get enough of!!